Car Suggestions - Looking to Start Anew.

[JM]

So, I have a 2003 Saturn VUE that is in good order, 60k miles, and never had any issues. However, I'm thinking, before it does start running into issues, about trading it in/selling it and stepping into a new car.

I'm considering:
2010 Honda Civic (pre-approved for 0% financing so this is in the lead).
2010 Toyota Carola.
2011 Ford Fiesta.
2010 Nissan Versa.

And there's a few others, but I'm too tired to actual post them. I'm looking around $20k or so with tax and reg, with trade-in value of about $4.5k (private KBB is $6.5k, so I've got some bargaining room there), and enough cash on hand to bring the payments to a comfortable $150 or so per month (based off Honda, anyway). I could buy it outright, but might as well make some more tradelines on the old credit report if I can get a good financing deal.

Anyway, your suggestions are most appreciated.

[Han Bao Quan]

2010 Honda Civic. It's a no brainer

[MAA83]

Corollas, while reliable, have always had really bland interiors for me. All toyota's actually. They just seem really boring on the inside. Can't say about the Fiesta since I haven't seen one yet, looks like a cool car though. I would throw the Versa at the bottom of the list, I test drove one and didn't like the feel. When you drive a compact you don't want to feel like you're driving a compact and the Versa reminds you in every way possible... cabin noise, not a very planted suspension, etc. etc. As always I suggest you test drive all of these for yourself. I would say go with the civic, especially if you can get 0% financing on it right now. It's reliable, solid (for a compact) and looks the best IMO although I do like the looks of the Fiesta as well.

I would say Civic, then Fiesta, then Corolla, and then Versa. If you do go to the Nissan dealer, be sure to spit on a Cube for me!

[JM]

Yeah, Han, the Civic is the forerunner. On top of which, they have an overage of Civics on the local lot, and are very much in the mood of "what can I do to get you to take this thing away from me" while being polite. It's like haggling without the pains in the !!

And MAA83: I'm a fairly boring person, so I don't mind the Toyota blandness. And thanks for the tip on the Versa. It's one thing that I like about the Civic is the solid build can lack of actually feeling like you're in a compact.

And LMAO!! Yeah, the Cube... Ugh. What were they smoking and where can I get some of that?!

[MattB85]

Are you only considering Japanese or US makers? I'd recommend taking a look at the VW Golf and Jetta in the $20K range as well.

[usapatriot]

2011 Fiesta! You could get a loaded SES hatch for $20k!

[JM]

Are you only considering Japanese or US makers? I'd recommend taking a look at the VW Golf and Jetta in the $20K range as well.

Honda's MPG is better than those, and have a better reliability record.

2011 Fiesta! You could get a loaded SES hatch for $20k!

I'm honestly not a hatchback person.

[usapatriot]

What about a Ford Fusion?

[narsnail]

The Corolla XRS would be what I would be looking at, it has decent power while still being good on gas and insurance. The Civic Si is a bit out of your price range, but I would be gunning for that as well.

[Element]

Out of your choices I'd say a Civic, but the new Toyota Avalon is pretty nice.